Update for October 1622, 2006

Next DVC resort officially announced

With an announcement last Wednesday, the dust has now settled on the immediate rumors for the next Disney Vacation Club location. As we reported a couple of weeks ago, the next DVC resort will be at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Rollout of Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas will see a quick start, as the first units will be conversions of existing rooms on the fifth and sixth floors of the existing resort into 134 new accommodations, to be ready next fall. Long term plans call for the construction of an additional building on the site with 324 vacation homes, for a total of 458 DVC homes. The new building is planned to be completed by spring 2009.

The new construction will also feature the addition of lots of resort facilities to add availability for the added guest population, including a new table-service restaurant, a themed pool and water-play island, a fitness center, a merchandise shop, sports and recreation facilities, etc. In addition, the animal savanna will be expanded to allow for viewing areas at the new building. The new accommodations will feature intricate African-inspired details and home-like amenities.

"I am delighted to announce that our members will have yet another place to call home with Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas," said Jim Lewis, President of Disney Vacation Club. "This begins another exciting new era for Disney Vacation Club as we continue to explore future destination possibilities both domestically and internationally."

The last statement by Lewis would seem to hint at what we further hinted at a couple of weeks ago, that the next DVC resort to be announced would be in California. He also seems to leave the door open for the possibility of DVC resort at other Disney resort properties near Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong. We're still pointing toward a new tower adjacent to the Contemporary Resort as the next property at Walt Disney World after the Animal Kingdom Villas are completed.

The Disney Vacation Club has, in its 15 years of operation, grown to over 300,000 individuals from over 100 countries and every U.S. state. Membership has doubled in the last six years. The Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas will be the eighth DVC property overall and sixth at Walt Disney World. The first four at the resort (Old Key West, BoardWalk Villas, Villas at Wilderness Lodge and Beach Club Villas), along with locations in Vero Beach, Florida and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, have sold out. Sales at the seventh resort, the Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa (opened in 2004), are well ahead of projections.

The Seas with Nemo and Friends opens to rave reviews

Following successful sneak previews last Monday and Tuesday, cast member previews last Wednesday and Thursday and DVC and passholder preview on Friday through yesterday, the new The Seas with Nemo and Friends is expected to soft-open to the public today. Official grand opening will be later this month.

Reviews so far have been overwhelmingly positive. Comments we've received include:

"It was magical!"

"Hats off to the Disney Imagineers! I enjoyed every bit of the new "Finding Nemo" ride at Epcot today, from the queue line all the way to the end."

"The effects in the tank are amazing. If this is the "cheap" version, I can't wait to see the full blown version at Disneyland."

"Let me say... the ride is amazing. Better than I thought it was going to be. It's beautiful. The lines are going to be long for it."

We've got a few photos (but not of the attraction itself) for you from multiple contributors. We're also going to give you a quick walkthrough of the attraction. If you don't want to see any ride spoilers, just look at the photos until you get to the next story.

The front of the pavilion features new decor. The waves crashing on the rock at right launch trigger an effect sequence. Photo by Mike Scopa.

As the waves crash, the seagulls move their heads and wings and start shrieking "Mine! Mine! Mine!" as in the movie Finding Nemo. Photo by Brian Kirkwood.

As you approach the pavilion, you'll note that the sunset logo has been replaced with fish designs, the "The Living Seas" sign has been replaced with one saying "The Seas with Nemo and Friends," and the rocky outcrop out front is now adorned with three seagulls. Each time the waves crash upon the rock, the seagulls move their heads and wings and say "Mine! Mine! Mine!" as they do in the film Finding Nemo.

Upon entering the pavilion, the queue will run through "Coral Caves Beach" at sunset past signs and a lifeguard stand. The queue then proceeds to go "under the dock." Special effects include water rings around pilings and a boat overhead. The railings are are made to look like rusty pipes that have been around for quite a while.

Signs in the lengthy queue area welcome you to Coral Caves Beach and lay out the rules of the sand. Photo by Brian Warneke.

You eventually come to the loading area for the clamobiles. The seating in the vehicles is similar to that of the Haunted Mansion's doom buggies, except that entry is through the front rather than the side. Instead of the front closing back toward you, a door slides across the front opening. There are special vehicles for loading wheelchair-bound guests. (Guests will have to transfer from ECVs to wheelchairs to ride).

The ride passes through various scenes, starting with general undersea life, and followed by Mr. Ray's Field Trip. Then, Nemo goes missing. You pass through a room filled with giant jellyfish as Marlin and Dory go searching for Nemo, then you find the sharks' home. In the final non-tank show scene, you get to ride the East Australian Current (EAC) with Crush.

When you finally reach the main tank, the characters appear in the tank with the actual sea life living in there. The projection effects are reportedly phenomenal. There is also reportedly some great dialogue from Peach near the end of the ride.

The ride ends and empties out into Sea Base (which has dropped the "Alpha" from its name), where you can get into the tremendously long line for Turtle Talk with Crush.

Thanks to all of those who contributed their impressions, both via e-mail and on our MousePad discussion forums (link), as well as those who contributed photos.

The new clamobiles open in front, rather than on the side. A wheelchair vehicle is at right. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Cast Members not forgotten during Year of a Million Dreams

While guests are receiving 1.25 million prizes during the 15-month Year of a Million Dreams promotion, cast members will be receiving their own magical surprises. The Magic Backstage program will be randomly awarding prizes to cast members and Imagineers during that time frame.

One major monthly prize will be awarded, along with many smaller ones. This month, some cast members are getting free beverages, chair massages and even limo rides to work. 10-pound Nestle Crunch bars have even been handed out.

Two of the big prizes will be a stay in the Mickey Mouse Penthouse (for Disneyland-based workers) on the night of December 15, and a stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite (for Walt Disney World-based workers) on the night of February 1. (Those dates are subject to change, but if you're hoping to win the guest prize in those accommodations those nights, your chances may be nil.) Other cast prizes include Adventures by Disney trips, trips to overseas parks, free meals or beverages and movie buy-outs.

It's nice to see that the cast members who are helping to create the magic will also be able to share in it.

The Happiest Celebration on Earth decor has been removed from the castle, and repainting is underway. Photo by Mike Scopa.

Pirate & Princess Party update

We've got a little more information about Disney's Pirate & Princess Party, which will be held on thirteen nights between January 22 and March 8.

Upon entering the Magic Kingdom, guests will receive an adventure map and treasure pouch. The map will guide pirates and princesses alike to find colorful beads, chocolate doubloons and various entertainment opportunities.

Adventureland will feature the popular Captain Jack's Pirate Tutorial show, as well as photo opportunities with Jasmine and the Genie from Aladdin. Frontierland and Liberty Square will be the home of the Riverboat Roulettes singing group and the ghost of Jolly Roger telling tales aboard a haunted river boat along with magicians and other performers.

Fantasyland will feature meet-and-greets with Ariel, while Flounder and Sebastian host an "Under the Sea" dance party. Toontown will be the home for Cinderella, Belle and Aurora in a princess pavilion, featuring court musicians and strolling jugglers, while Pirate Mickey and Donald will host carnival games in a themed play area. In Tomorrowland, the ever-present Stitch will host his own cosmic dance party, while a space pirate meet-and-greet and break-dancing pirates provide additional entertainment.

There will also be two new "nighttime spectaculars" debuting for the event. Disney's Enchanted Adventures Parade will feature a 39-foot pirate ship float, a treasure float featuring Captain Jack Sparrow, a Jolly Roger Flag Corps. For the princess set, it will also have royal knights on horseback, court dancers and a processional of Disney princesses and princes. The Magic, Music and Mayhem fireworks display will also make its appearance for the event, featuring an original musical score.

The party will be held in the Magic Kingdom from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. on January 22, 26, 29, February 1, 5 ,8, 12, 15, 23, 26 and March 2, 5, and 8.

Tickets are now on sale for $36.95 plus tax (adults) and $29.95 plus tax (ages 3-9). On the day of the event, any remaining tickets will cost $42.95 plus tax for adults, $35.95 for ages 3-9. Additional discounts are available on the first five nights for Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members.

With repainting completed on the towers, work at Epcot's Japan pavilion continues across the top of the bridge. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Help us out!

Want to help MousePlanet upgrade our park guides? We're looking to add menu information for all restaurants to our Walt Disney World Park Guide. Send photos or scans of menus (no fair copying from other web sites) to menus@mouseplanet.com. Please note that there is a 5MB limit on total attachments in a single email.

Wonderland Music kiosks are no more

Well, they disappeared at Disneyland about four weeks ago, and now they're gone from Walt Disney World, as well. The Wonderland Music CD-on-Demand kiosks, which allowed guests to purchase out-of-print titles burned onto CDs for $15.99 while they waited at the Main Street Cinema at the Magic Kingdom and Once Upon a Toy in the Downtown Disney Marketplace have been discontinued. The service had also been available at Disneyland's 20th Century Music Shop.

The service made many out-of-print classic Disney albums available to guests in CD form, complete with an image of the original album cover front and back in the case. Reportedly, the albums will soon be available through the iTunes Music Store, but the days of getting the physical media in your hands is gone.

While a Disney spokesman noted that guest response was not strong while the kiosks were operating, it could also be said that most visitors had no idea that they even existed. The kiosks were located in back corners of their respective locations and there was no advertising that the service was available.

So if you wanted a CD featuring Thurl Ravenscroft doing the early narration of the Jungle Cruise along with the original, full Enchanted Tiki Room show with the original album cover art, sorry. Downloaded music will have to suffice. And make your own covers.

The China pavilion gets a special photo-image wrap while the Temple of the Sun undergoes some refurbishment. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Animal Kingdom veterinarian heads up elephant population control effort

A veterinarian from Disney's Animal Kingdom is heading up a new attempt to control the elephant population in Africa, where overpopulation is reportedly becoming a serious issue. Mark Stetter, the park's head veterinarian, was part of a three-man team that developed a procedure to perform vasectomies on elephants.

Along with an animal anesthesiology expert from the San Diego Zoo and a laparoscopic horse surgeon from Colorado State University, Stetter came up with a two-hour procedure that first requires the elephant to be shot with an anesthesia dart from a helicopter. During the procedure, the animal must be held upright by a crane.

Stetter trained several veterinarians in Africa on the procedure, which uses a a laparoscope and a video monitor, over the summer. By sterilizing elephants, rather than killing or relocating them, proponents of the plan hope to avoid the social problems caused by those methods, which has been blamed for an increase in elephant attacks on humans.

Since an elephant can eat up to 600 pounds of vegetation per day, a large enough herd can destroy an area if it does not have a wide enough area to roam. Huge numbers were culled between 1966 and 1994, at which time a moratorium stopped the practice.

The program has been funded by a three-year $60,000 grant from Disney's Conservation Fund.

A new exhibit has opened at the China pavilion. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Quick takes

Just a warning that a competitor of Quicksilver Tours & Transportation, a MousePlanet sponsor, has registered the domain name quicksilvertransportation.com when Quicksilver is not any part of their name. Please be aware of this deceptive business practice. We urge you to avoid this company and to visit Quicksilver's actual site, which is www.quicksilver-tours.com. Quicksilver is currently taking legal measures to resolve the issue.

Registration for the 2007 Walt Disney World Marathon is now also full. [Read our WDW Marathon Guide.] If you're interested in registering through Disney to participate in any event that weekend, all that's available is the Family Fun Run 5K (which is now at 70% capacity) and Kids' Races (link). If you're set on running the Marathon, Half Marathon or Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge, some slots may still be available through charities and other groups (link).

Refurbishment of the Fantasia pool at the All-Star Movies Resort has been extended and is now expected to be completed on February 18. All-Star Movies guests may continue to use the "quiet" pools as well as the main pools at the other All-Star resorts.

A quick addition to the information in last week's Update about the Cinderella Castle Suite: A guest relations cast member will be available overnight for each family that stays in the suite, which will only have a view of Fantasyland, not of Main Street U.S.A.

Wyndham Resorts has announced that they will be renaming all resorts that they currently own under the Fairfield and Trendwest names around the world. This will bring all of the resorts acquired with the purchase of those companies under one name. This is of interest due to the fact that the 1,594-unit Fairfield Orlando at Bonnet Creek Resort timeshare location along Buena Vista Drive between the Caribbean Beach Resort and I-4 will now be taking on the Wyndham name. Among other things, this will allow better integration between that resort and the new 400-room Wyndham Hotel & Spa that will be built adjacent to the first location.

The Funai Classic golf tournament, to be held on the Palm and Magnolia golf courses this week, will go forward without Tiger Woods for only the second time since 1995. The only other time the two-time event champion has missed it in that time was when he was on his honeymoon. With the Disney event becoming part of the lesser Fall Tour next year, it's likely that it will not see the Tiger again, despite the fact that he lives five miles or so from Walt Disney World.

The terra cotta warriors in the China pavilion's new exhibit are approximately 18 inches tall. Photo by Brian Warneke.

Trivia question of the week

This week's question: What was the first nighttime spectacular to be staged at Epcot on a nightly basis? Stay tuned to next week's park update for the answer.

The answer to last week's question: "What is the only building between the Main Street Railroad Station and the hub in front of Cinderella Castle that does not use forced perspective to make it appear taller than it really is?" is:

The Main Street Exposition Hall, which was constructed at full size to hide the Contemporary Resort from view of those in the turn-of-the-century entrance area. While the resort is visible from Tomorrowland, where it complements the theme, designers needed to build the Exposition Hall at full size in order to block the view of the resort from Main Street and Town Square. The building now houses the Kodak Camera Center and Tony's Town Square Restaurant, as well as a theater showing old Disney short cartoons.

The Main Street Exposition Hall (background) is the only building along Main Street U.S.A. that does not use forced perspective. File photo by Mark Goldhaber.

The Seas with Nemo and Friends  is expected to soft-open today. It will officially open in late October in The Living Seas, which has also been renamed "The Seas with Nemo and Friends." Annual Passholder previews were held October 1315. Cast previews were October 12.

Living with the Land  has returned from refurbishment with a new system to deliver automated spiels.

All-Star Movies Resort  the Fantasia pool is closed for an extensive rehab through February 18. All-Star Movies guests can use the "quiet" pools as well as the main pools at the other All-Star resorts.

All-Star Music Resort  Conversion of Calypso buildings to Family Suites continues. All work had been expected to be completed by October 13, but that date has not been met. All buildings not containing Family Suites will be renovated between January and June, 2007.

Polynesian Resort  Work is now underway on the complete refurbishment and upgrading of rooms and hallways in all buildings, which is expected to be completed later this year. Tahiti is currently being worked on, with an expected completion date in mid-November. Aotearoa and Rarotonga will need to have a brief unexpected shutdown in the next month or so in order to allow some electrical repair to the monorail track. The reconstruction and expansion of Captain Cook's Snack Company is not scheduled to be completed until early December, though it's possible that it might soft-open before Thanksgiving.

Port Orleans Riverside  The Oak Manor building in the Magnolia Bend section is closed for refurbishment. The quiet pool in the area is still open.

Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa  Phase I's four buildings and Phase II's eight units are complete, Construction on the six buildings of Phase III is underway, with the six units expected to be completed in mid-2007. The new buildings will comprise two additional sections, to be called The Carousel and The Grandstand.

December 2006

Taping of the Walt Disney World Very Merry Christmas Parade. Dec. 13. Regis, Kelly and all those performers arrive, and they run those floats slowly down Main Street again and again, causing traffic jams and much merriment in the search for the perfect shot.

Passholder, Florida resident room rates for October through December

Annual passholder rates have been announced for October 1 through December 23. Of course, there will be no AP rates during peak Christmas Week dates of December 24-31. The rates very by season (the period covered spans regular, value and holiday seasons), but they'll give you approximately $20 off per night at Value resorts, $40 off per night at Moderates, and $71-$80 per night at Deluxe resorts. The booking code for these rates is FBZ. (The passholder Web site says FCB, so I would guess that both would work.)

Florida Residents have their own discounts, using booking code FBY. Availability dates are October 5 through December 23, and rates are $5 more than the AP rates.

Both of these rates can be booked up until December 23.

Special offer for Super Soap Weekend travel from Small World Vacations

Small World Vacations, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced a special offer for those traveling during this year's Super Soap Weekend event. The travel agency will give one free One Life, Many Voices CD with each qualifying Disney Magic Your Way Vacation package that falls during 2006 Super Soap Weekend (November 11 and 12) booked with Small World Vacations (link).

The One Life, Many Voices CD is an independent fundraising effort with 100% of net proceeds going directly to aid 2005 Hurricane Disaster Relief, created by the stars of the ABC soap One Life to Live.

The free CD will be mailed with final travel documents. If the guest cancels their Super Soap vacation reservation, the offer is null and void. Small World Vacations' minimum night stay policy applies. Small World Vacations has donated to the One Life, Many Voices Hurricane Relief Fund on behalf of their guests.

Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration releases rates through the end of 2006

The Radisson Resort Parkway is now the Radisson Resort Orlando-Celebration! The resort, a MousePlanet sponsor, has announced their standard rates through the end of 2006. Note that the nightly rates do not include a $7 per night resort fee.

Magic Your Way ticket price guide

Walt Disney World's entire ticket price structure changed as of January 2, 2005, to the new Magic Your Way passes, and prices increased on January 1, 2006, and again on August 6, 2006. Advance purchase discounts are only available on tickets above the base ticket of at least 4 days, with higher discounts on those tickets with both options. Prices do not include 6.5% Florida sales tax.

Mark (@MPMark) is a veteran of dozens of trips to Walt Disney World starting in 1972, with a few Disneyland trips thrown in for good measure. As a Disney stockholder and a Disney Vacation Club member, Mark is always in touch with what's going on with The Mouse. Mark serves as MousePlanet's Walt Disney World content coordinator. Mark is a senior information technology manager working for the State of New York. He lives in the suburbs outside Albany, New York, with his wife and son.

MousePlanet® is not associated in any official way with the Walt Disney Company, its subsidiaries, or its affiliates. The official Disney site is available at www.disney.com. This MousePlanet Web site provides independent news articles, commentary, editorials, reviews, and guides primarily about the theme park resorts of the Walt Disney Co. All information on this site is subject to change. Please call destinations in advance to confirm the most up-to-date information.